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Central Alberta Hockey sets new motion stemming from Rimbey bantam complaints

League issues with the Rimbey Bonavista bantams creates change on late complaints in minor hockey
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Rimbey Bonavista Bantams

A decision by Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) to oust a Rimbey Bantam team from the playoffs late in the season may see some changes to league rules.

After complaints were received to the league, CAHL president Terry Siverson wants to see some changes to the time frame when such concerns are brought forward.

“We need more warning around such decisions,” he said.

Read More: Bonavista Bantams cut off from play

Siverson put forth a notice of motion at a board meeting earlier this month to request that complaints must be received earlier in the season.

He said the notice of motion will be voted on April 9.

“We need to get complaints much earlier in the year. It’s a much more reasonable time frame.”

The Rimbey Bonavista Bantams, which played in Tier 5, enjoyed a successful season, losing only their final game against Castor when they competed with only eight players.

The call from CAHL that Rimbey Bonavista Bantams was eliminated from the playoffs came shortly after the last game was played.

The decision to eliminate Rimbey came about because other teams in the league complained that Rimbey was too strong for the tier they were playing in, coach Bill Bramfield said. However, Bramfield said his team, just like the other teams they were competing against, were playing hard and really hoping to win the playoffs.

“That’s what we kind of thought was the point of competing. Sometimes you’re at the bottom and sometimes you’re at the top.”

Bramfield said he appealed the decision to a committee when he received the news that the Bantams were to be eliminated, however the appeal went nowhere.

Members voted unanimously to remove the Rimbey team and award them a regular season banner.

Siverson said the final decision was made based on a rule in the hockey league based on unbalanced competition.

“It’s happened before. It’s not something new. It’s not the first time. We use the same process over and over.

Siverson said a representative from CAHL had contacted a representative from Rimbey Minor Hockey and Bonavista Bantams on Nov. 6, 2018.

“They were officially and formally asked to move up,” Siverson said, noting that the request was declined.

“They chose not to move up,” he said. “It’s not that I’m not disappointed, (but) the competitive balance is extremely important.”

Siverson said he believes there was lack of communication between the two entities.

He noted that a Pee Wee Team in Tier 5 in CAHL was also eliminated from playoffs due to competitive balance.

“There’s always more than one,” he said, adding he did not wish to disclose the name of the team.